[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6171472,"mediaKeyId","5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857","parentId",5394050,"title","Board approves expanded Junior Achievement partnership to deliver K–9 career and financial literacy experiences","audioSeconds",719,"startMs",6679000,"endMs",7398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857&start=6679&end=7398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857/thumbnail_6679000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171472/Iowa/Board-approves-expanded-Junior-Achievement-partnership-to-deliver-K9-career-and-financial-literacy-experiences","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171472-4b38d06e798cb648b1737a313547fd95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655179&Signature=IRjksuPOm9R6Cq0QzM8YPcExHWjxDTrXyWkkDQDaRV9UiPF~ikNqamGzleF~cKB1unGkmqvok~dQAn2in~nEW5swVMiUSZSb4qaekZ~FehlHj4VE4Ibz~JlaO8dccN8lAHM14vO-GgAlBXj6KiCbuWruxlgkmNbu4Gtx3pwdCr1QXtmTU8cqdbYicJf0NPl344wZL5HC3-q2~420XZXT4zHs3mpHEE6t~Dxoh-oOjMgKHZLhRax7q-R7nGYHcKAlFv7xVupV3qFB~PHC3uRdQFzqKt6j6KrWj6ao4OYCTEzTESN6-GxbNU~srrXGOiCr7wXCXJvmTJFI5rj8DCV6ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cedar Rapids Comm School District","date","2025-07-15T01:13:09Z","article","The Cedar Rapids board on July 14 approved an agreement with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa to expand career, entrepreneurship and financial‑literacy programs across district schools, including guaranteed K–9 experiences and a new ninth‑grade seminar pilot.
Junior Achievement representatives and district leaders described a multi‑year plan to provide thousands more student experiences next year — the presenters said JA will deliver roughly 50 percent of elementary experiences, 80 percent of middle‑school experiences and 15 percent of high‑school experiences under the district’s Excel plan. JA reported 1,502 volunteers this year, about 400 serving Cedar Rapids, and said the program will scale to more than 15,000 student experiences next year.
Student testimony accompanied the presentation: Adam Petrovic, a rising seventh grader who participated in a JA company program, told the board, \"I like that we learned things by doing fun activities instead of listening to people talk for, like, half an hour...we learned how to make a business and how to be successful.\"
Why it matters: the agreement commits a community partner to deliver structured college‑and‑career exposure across grade levels and to support district goals to prepare students for post‑secondary success. The district said the partnership will contribute volunteer hours, curricular alignment, and authentic work‑based experiences such as JA Finance Park and simulated company projects.
Board action: the board approved the proposed agreement by voice vote during the meeting.
Ending: District and JA leaders said the partnership aims to give every K–9 student at least one JA experience next school year and to expand high‑school offerings progressively; staff will integrate the programming with district standards and continued educator feedback.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The school board approved a partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa to scale K–9 career, entrepreneurship and financial‑literacy programming, increasing volunteer deployment and guaranteed student experiences across grades.","taxTitle","Cedar Rapids Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",12924,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171477,"Cedar Rapids district reports declines in restraints after DOJ site visits and system changes",471,5160000,5631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857&start=5160&end=5631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","/articles/6171477/Iowa/Cedar-Rapids-district-reports-declines-in-restraints-after-DOJ-site-visits-and-system-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171477-d28e06483d6bdd48f6878aab571a5a51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655179&Signature=VGzIScQUfFxL~fPDn-YK1Bpg-qCCfKiGrzBfMqxmmnRiMCCXeBvHojOYAc2s7AaIjytcyfTsJ8wfDylFskNm3uTx6cX~SPocpAhTzQLpdxteqlYh4CuEKS2WxnFNDr2bWDSMIWsJCHicsEmwOCdEISXWwvJXjHH2cc6laDZgvSn0okAHkZ-FMlTd0LH3dWJxp~5i-7chGEShYsWkmfEMmZIYA-J3L~DXd-751mrlYpJ1hOHtmB1hw~Fjm2t1clK9EaJ5-37wHSqm2yX1kcAuhpcSC5TGBXx3uTbyO-rGw6~e6hD83nn4mNyg8HaXk0gJdO6KyoJpib3E1oaIPL6F4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar Rapids Community School District reported to the board on July 14 that changes made under a Department of Justice agreement — improved documentation, training consistency and targeted interventions — coincided with a decline in restraints and related incidents over the 2024–25 school year.
Ryals Parker, executive director of behavior supports, said the district initially saw increases in reported incidents as it standardized reporting, then observed a \"dramatic drop\" as teams implemented supports. \"We dipped significantly with our kindergarten restraints as we started to put things in place,\" Parker said, noting that increased para support in kindergarten classrooms is expected to help further reduce incidents.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted a three-day site visit this spring; district staff said DOJ reviewers commended improved paperwork, training fidelity and consistent language around de‑escalation in the buildings they visited. \"They believe it is clear to them now that our district has made a full commitment to this agreement and to best practices and to system level change and improvement,\" Parker told the board.
Next steps the district listed include strengthening counseling debriefs for students after crises, adding tier‑3 interventions and behavior‑intervention-plan fidelity, and deploying additional SEPB intervention specialists. District leaders said they will continue to track incidents and work with DOJ as the agreement moves forward.
Why it matters: the DOJ agreement sets federal expectations for how the district manages student crises, seclusion and restraint. The district said improved reporting led to better-targeted supports and that the changes will inform ongoing efforts to reduce suspensions and placements in more restrictive settings.
Ending: The district framed the year as a transition from correcting under‑reporting and inconsistent practices toward more consistent supports, and said the next implementation phase will emphasize counseling supports, targeted interventions and coaching for home schools as students are reintegrated.
","District officials told the school board the Department of Justice site visit and district improvements in documentation, training and targeted student supports corresponded with declines in reported restraints during the 2024–25 school year; leaders outlined next steps to expand counseling debriefs and tier‑3 interventions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171482,"Parents, students and teachers warn Cedar Rapids schools’ arts programs are shrinking and ask board to act",963,3241000,4204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857&start=3241&end=4204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857/thumbnail_3241000.jpg","/articles/6171482/Iowa/Parents-students-and-teachers-warn-Cedar-Rapids-schools-arts-programs-are-shrinking-and-ask-board-to-act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171482-4830f66d14aff0660c7d6ac120a42931/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655179&Signature=jQxgDocfJDKpAuOgwsmquiFpmyJiN~3tWmhTateZ6dHtLaMjGcKTuf4a6vD7kZTXqzCxhio2iQoaenRZK~v0q4FItumPr6zboPqCPCMdLDk-dT~68JQGjCFNc5rbkXdiX01S2doRu12dErdnXkNuCpFcrP0OHF-IlS7ZJS25AWbmlM6eL9se5XPDWnqisLu3-KV8VyRoqKiiglDgw6rZoY2nkzx4KnoTiIjcmQm7OjIWGrN9N--TiSiquuhbfU0QIEgsiAfPClUF52h0hxD1fvkaQYRR5QvK0Y5j7HbJzCE4tU6cb4XituV6OOQO60juxMV3rZbPSlT9~fTo6jdIJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of speakers at the July 14 Cedar Rapids Community School District board meeting urged immediate action to restore the district’s arts programs, saying music and theater instruction has been reduced unevenly across schools and that staffing losses threaten long-term program viability.
The public comments included teachers, parents and students who described declines in elementary, middle and high school arts offerings. \"Our elementary students get music instruction just four times a month,\" said Dr. Carl Rolls, director of bands at Jefferson High School. \"Some elementary schools this year didn't even have music teachers, creating issues of equity across the district.\"
Parents and students recounted recent teacher departures, canceled positions and the district’s difficulty recruiting replacements. Nicole Wilkinson said Pierce Elementary had no music teacher for a year and described volunteer parents stepping in to sustain programs. Student remarks underscored the personal value of arts participation; rising Kennedy student Wrigley Ort said music and theater were \"a defining part of me.\"
Why it matters: multiple speakers linked robust arts education to academic and social benefits and to district reputation and enrollment. Several urged district leadership to convene educators and parents to produce a districtwide, K–12 plan delivered by certified arts teachers. \"We need a district-wide focus on delivering a holistic comprehensive arts education from K through 12 taught by qualified arts educators,\" said Anne Ort, who described four generations of family attendance in the district.
District response: Superintendent Grover acknowledged the concerns and said the district still offers band, orchestra and vocal opportunities despite recent staffing changes and is open to partnering with educators and parents to create more consistent programming. Staff said they would bring educators, parents and community partners together to explore options and staffing models.
Ending: Speakers urged the board to prioritize arts staffing and curriculum in upcoming budget and planning decisions to prevent further erosion of programs and avoid losing families to neighboring districts that advertise stronger arts offerings.
","Multiple educators, parents and students urged the Cedar Rapids school board to restore and prioritize arts education at all grade levels, citing reduced class time, staffing losses and program inequities across buildings.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171487,"Cedar Rapids board tables preliminary approvals after neighborhood protests over Hoover and Van Buren school sites",1217,186000,1403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857&start=186&end=1403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394050-600aa904429820dbadb7185529393857/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6171487/Iowa/Cedar-Rapids-board-tables-preliminary-approvals-after-neighborhood-protests-over-Hoover-and-Van-Buren-school-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171487-f2e1db06650aae8f602b24da17e725e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655179&Signature=GOckJs8FuLaWazsuu9PcSw2O4fJZj9SgBly8ePWz4-023oPFRZYLF7cXZ-Mb3n9~9Mr4nJBQY4jTJ4x8GT44~hTNhNcDQaUarqWP-DnTS0jUNAB~POqcWGLrksKT2CbFkpQrgRQEHzESLhBnYDdODvmol5y--bg-DBZCNGap1Hl7FcY27Ia6iuaMctyFuoTSQgMW8L~H99HS72DGHIbbCGn0JK2Z~k6pfqBW3OQQiVsUUUXducfk~Z7jLyGJuZNR3XuWmaVJB0za7HoHUMhxjwrtvRd412-MMCUXcrbNTr0QRJ80gmydyvAOc2gF8R6DDsbkomVDku3bSwXHHE5vLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education on July 14 moved to table preliminary approvals for proposed new elementary schools at the Hoover and Van Buren sites after a string of neighborhood speakers urged more outreach and design changes.
Neighbors said the district did not adequately notify nearby residents and that elements of the proposed site plans — including access drives, a 28-foot building elevation at Hoover and tree loss — would significantly affect yards, privacy and property values. \"We find out that there is going to be a school built literally 50, 60 feet off our property line,\" said Joe Brokaw, a Hoover-area resident. \"...a 28 foot building, we're not very pleased with that idea.\"
The board hearing covered both project bid issuance one items. Speakers from both neighborhoods requested delays and alternatives — moving driveways, altering building siting, using other access easements, or staging students at other nearby schools during a redesign — and flagged outstanding municipal approvals. \"The rezoning has not been approved by the Cedar Rapids City Council,\" said Julie Rochford of the Van Buren neighborhood. \"It does not make sense that the project would move forward without this approval.\"
Why it matters: the projects are funded through the district's capital plans and linked to a bond effort on the ballot this fall; neighbors said rushed timing undercuts trust and could affect support. The district acknowledged neighbors' concerns and said it had held neighborhood meetings and would investigate site modifications. After public comment, Director Miss McFarlock moved to table the preliminary approvals for both Hoover and Van Buren; the board voice-voted in favor.
Supporting details: multiple neighbors described heavy impacts from proposed access drives that would run near rear property lines — \"the driveway is 22 feet away from our south property line,\" said Gary Dusall — and loss of mature trees and wildlife habitat. Van Buren residents emphasized that a proposed easement crossing a city park would introduce a two-lane road behind roughly eight houses and remove parkland used by children, dog walkers and neighbors. Speakers urged the board to consider a shorter 40-foot easement on 20th Street as an alternative for Van Buren access.
District response and next steps: Superintendent leadership and staff said they had held two neighborhood meetings and asked engineers and architects to investigate site-plan modifications and cost impacts. Board members agreed to hear additional analysis before final approval. The district did not approve final designs or proceed with construction at the hearing; the board’s vote formally postponed final action on the two preliminary site approvals.
Ending: Neighbors said they want continued engagement before any final site approval. The board’s decision to table the items postpones immediate construction and signals the district will return with revised plans and further community outreach before taking final votes.
","Neighbors of Hoover and Van Buren elementary school sites told the school board on July 14 they were not consulted, raised concerns about proximity, trees, traffic and stormwater, and the board voted to table preliminary site approvals for both projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves expanded Junior Achievement partnership to deliver K–9 career and financial literacy experiences

Cedar Rapids district reports declines in restraints after DOJ site visits and system changes

Parents, students and teachers warn Cedar Rapids schools’ arts programs are shrinking and ask board to act

Cedar Rapids board tables preliminary approvals after neighborhood protests over Hoover and Van Buren school sites